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Effectiveness of School-Based Drug Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis of the Research

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Abstract

Effectiveness of different types of drug prevention programs was examined in a meta-analysis of 120 school-based programs (5th-12th) that evaluated success on self-reported drug use measures. Hypothesis tests using Weighted Least Squares regressions were conducted of an a priori classification scheme that was based on program content and its method of delivery. Two major types of programs were identified: Interactive and Non-Interactive. Six factors related to program effectiveness (sample size, targeted drug, type of control group, special populations, type of leader, and attrition) were included as covariates. The superiority of the Interactive programs was both clinically and statistically significant to the Non-Interactive programs for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and illicit drugs and for all adolescents including minority populations. The larger Interactive programs were less effective, although still significantly superior to the Non-Interactive programs, which suggests implementation failures.

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Tobler, N.S., Stratton, H.H. Effectiveness of School-Based Drug Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis of the Research. The Journal of Primary Prevention 18, 71–128 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024630205999

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